The Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club worked with the city of Portage-la-Prairie to create The Prairie Flow Trails, a public cycling and skills park.
Cycling Clubs for All
From fitness to friendship — or a mix of both — every cyclist can find a club that fits their needs.
By Christina Palassio | Original photography and videography by Thomas Fricke
You see them on the streets in your neighbourhood — groups of cyclists, spandex-clad or trail-ready, creating their own vibe. It does look like fun, doesn’t it? And perhaps a little intense. These days, there are as many types of cycling clubs and groups as there are kinds of cyclists. Some clubs prioritize speed; some concentrate on exploration. Some offer skills and bike safety training; others are simply all about the fun of cycling. Some welcome all riders to join; others aim to foster and support specific communities, such as women or BIPOC cyclists. You’ll find some centred on long rides, while others squeeze in 30-km outings before or after work hours. What all these clubs have in common is their focus on building a community around cycling and a safe, fun atmosphere. I first joined a cycling club more than a decade after I started commuting by bike. I’d seen groups out on morning rides and thought of joining, but wasn’t sure it was for me. I like the freedom of riding alone and wasn’t sold on the idea of riding in a peloton (the cycling term for the main pack in a race). I was also not convinced I could keep a set pace as many club rides require. But I decided to give it a try and started turning up for weekday morning rides — 30 to 40 km starting at 6 a.m., followed by a coffee stop. It was fun! I liked the ride chit-chats, the feeling of safety provided by being in a group, and the fact that ride leaders plan the routes, so I didn’t have to. I improved my bike-handling skills and learned how to draft (ride directly behind someone else to benefit from their aerodynamics), as well as how to generate more power on climbs. I saw new parts of the city and met some new riding pals. And I drank some delicious Americanos. When I had a hard time keeping up with the 26-to-28-km-an-hour pace, the group waited up because the rides were no-drop (the cycling term for a group ride in which no one gets left behind). When others lagged, I waited for them. The spirit of the club wasn’t about competition; it was about camaraderie and challenging yourself to be a better rider while having fun. That was perfect for me.
Christina Palassio writes about cycling, culture and causes for a variety of publications, including CAA Magazine, Lonely Planet and the Globe and Mail. She and her bike have been all over the country and the world, from the Cabot Trail and Haida Gwaii to Rwanda and South Korea. She believes there’s no better way to see places and meet people than on two wheels.
“I’ve also learned that cycling isn’t just about getting out there and getting fit. For me, there’s been a tremendous mental health benefit.”
Finding community in a cycling club
Portage-la-Prairie’s Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club (JYD) started through a shared love of trail riding and stewarding the natural environment. The 250-member group manages a 12-km trail along the Assiniboine River and runs group rides and events. Board president Gary Bergen has been involved with JYD for more than seven years. He joined for the community created through the rides and events like Bike Week. He has stayed involved because of the satisfaction of building something that’s community-owned, and says JYD has been an educational journey. “I’ve learned about bike maintenance and things I can do to ride better. I’ve also learned that cycling isn’t just about getting out there and getting fit. For me, there’s been a tremendous mental health benefit. The experience of riding a trail demands attention and means that I can't really think about anything else.”
(Above, top) Members of the Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club at the beginning of a trail ride. (Above, bottom) It’s not just about the bikes — after the ride, cyclists move on to snacks and socializing.
What to know before you join
There are many different types of cycling groups. Formal cycling clubs are usually registered with a provincial cycling organization. They appoint boards, collect membership dues and carry insurance. There are also informal groups like collectives and associations. It’s helpful to understand the organizational structure of the group you’re joining and the implications for cost and liability. Most groups will post this information on their websites. It’s also important to think about what experience and culture you’re looking for and then pick a group that’s aligned with your personal preferences. For example, if you’re a beginner, find a club that offers shorter rides at a slower pace — e.g., 20 to 23 km/h.
“This was something I would have never experienced without going on that ride.”
The perfect pace
The Manitoba Randonneurs provides a unique cycling experience that challenges riders to redefine their abilities through long-distance rides ranging from 200 to 1,000 km.
Jordan Sawatzky, who had never cycled more than 100 km in a single ride, joined the club in 2022. He was inspired by what club members achieved and discovered that he loved longer rides for the challenge and the opportunity to explore Manitoba.
“We recently did a 300-km gravel ride and went to the border towns of Ridgeville and Tolstoi,” says Sawatzky. “Tolstoi had this old bar that’s been there for many years, and on the walls, they have newspaper clippings from the inception of the hotel. It was really cool to see all that history. It’s almost like a little museum. This was something I would have never experienced without going on that ride.”
Members of the Manitoba Randonneurs during a long-distance ride. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE MANITOBA RANDONNEURS
Beyond pedal power
While every cycling group has a distinct culture and calendar, there are also many shared elements, with bike safety foremost among these. Cycling groups require participants to wear helmets, have appropriate bike lights (which are required by law), obey all traffic rules and know their hand and verbal signals. When new riders join, ride leaders — the cyclists who have volunteered to shepherd the group — will often go over these signals, as well as basic best practices for how to ride in a group, especially on busy roads with lots of cars. Riders can choose to wear cycling safety vests and reflectors if desired. Headphones and other devices that can limit hearing are usually forbidden.
Most cycling groups have a protocol for welcoming new members. Once you’ve assessed your skill level and pinpointed a club that matches your interest, visit its website to read the guidelines and then reach out to them directly if you have questions. When arriving at a ride, introduce yourself to your ride leader and share your experience level and what you’re hoping to get out of the ride. It’s the ride leader’s job to ensure all riders are supported in having a safe and enjoyable experience.
One thing most clubs have in common: safety comes first. Wearing helmets, checking tire pressure and following the rules of the road are important for keeping members safer when on a ride.
“We’re really just there to encourage and teach people how to safely ride. If you come out to ride, you will have 14 new friends to ride with.”
(Above, top) The Prairie Flows Trail, used by the Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club. (Above, bottom) After a ride, members of the Velodonnas enjoy some social time. | PHOTO: (ABOVE, BOTTOM) COURTESY OF THE VELODONNAS
Building community spirit
In addition to getting out and riding together, many cycling groups channel their energy into community projects.
In Portage-la-Prairie, the Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club leveraged its membership and role in the community to raise $540,000 to build the Prairie Flow Trails Park in a decommissioned city dump, converting an abandoned site into a hub for biking.
Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, Linda van der Laar has found community spirit in the Velodonnas, a women’s cycling club. Several years ago, van der Laar moved from the Netherlands, with its vibrant cycling culture, to Winnipeg. “People told me that nobody cycles in Winnipeg, that it’s not safe to cycle in Winnipeg, and so, for the first year or two, I didn’t cycle at all.”
Then she discovered the Velodonnas, which offers mountain biking, road and gravel riding, as well as interval training to build endurance. “We’re an encouraging bunch,” she notes. “We’re really just there to encourage and teach people how to safely ride. If you come out to ride, you will have 14 new friends to ride with.”
(Above) The Prairie Flows Trail offers a space for members to meet, eat and socialize before or after a ride. (Below) The picturesque trails provide various challenges to advanced riders.
Benefits of cycling
Cycling provides so many positives — physical exercise, mental stimulation and a wonderful sense of freedom and discovery. And one of the best things about cycling is that because it’s low-impact, you can cycle from a young age well into your later years — and enjoy the skills and friends you make when you’ve been with a cycling club for decades.
For me, over the years, what I’m looking for in a cycling club has changed. I’m now thinking of joining a volunteer-based bike network that delivers food baskets, hot meals and other items to local residents who can’t easily access or afford them. Although I still like getting out with a group for a recreational ride, I’m also interested in trying something new. CAA
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One thing most clubs have in common: safety comes first. Wearing helmets, checking tire pressure and following the rules of the road are important for keeping members safer when on a ride.
Beyond pedal power
While every cycling group has a distinct culture and calendar, there are also many shared elements, with bike safety foremost among these. Cycling groups require participants to wear helmets, have appropriate bike lights (which are required by law), obey all traffic rules and know their hand and verbal signals. When new riders join, ride leaders — the cyclists who have volunteered to shepherd the group — will often go over these signals, as well as basic best practices for how to ride in a group, especially on busy roads with lots of cars. Riders can choose to wear cycling safety vests and reflectors if desired. Headphones and other devices that can limit hearing are usually forbidden.
Most cycling groups have a protocol for welcoming new members. Once you’ve assessed your skill level and pinpointed a club that matches your interest, visit its website to read the guidelines and then reach out to them directly if you have questions. When arriving at a ride, introduce yourself to your ride leader and share your experience level and what you’re hoping to get out of the ride. It’s the ride leader’s job to ensure all riders are supported in having a safe and enjoyable experience.
ad ullamco
Quis tempor enim pariatur quis non cupidatat ut. Voluptate qui ullamco exercitation qui nostrud.
ad ullamco
Quis tempor enim pariatur quis non cupidatat ut. Voluptate qui ullamco exercitation qui nostrud.
ad ullamco
Quis tempor enim pariatur quis non cupidatat ut. Voluptate qui ullamco exercitation qui nostrud.
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Quis tempor enim pariatur quis non cupidatat ut. Voluptate qui ullamco exercitation qui nostrud.
(Above, left) The Prairie Flows Trail, used by the Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club. (Above, right) After a ride, members of the Velodonnas enjoy some social time. | PHOTO: (ABOVE, RIGHT) COURTESY OF THE VELODONNAS
Building community spirit
In addition to getting out and riding together, many cycling groups channel their energy into community projects.
In Portage-la-Prairie, the Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club leveraged its membership and role in the community to raise $540,000 to build the Prairie Flow Trails Park in a decommissioned city dump, converting an abandoned site into a hub for biking.
Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, Linda van der Laar has found community spirit in the Velodonnas, a women’s cycling club. Several years ago, van der Laar moved from the Netherlands, with its vibrant cycling culture, to Winnipeg. “People told me that nobody cycles in Winnipeg, that it’s not safe to cycle in Winnipeg, and so, for the first year or two, I didn’t cycle at all.”
Then she discovered the Velodonnas, which offers mountain biking, road and gravel riding, as well as interval training to build endurance. “We’re an encouraging bunch,” she notes. “We’re really just there to encourage and teach people how to safely ride. If you come out to ride, you will have 14 new friends to ride with.”